Length of stay to be determined by immigration officer: US embassy

How long an international traveller can stay in the United States depends entirely on the decision of the immigration officer on duty upon arrival. The US embassy in Dhaka clarified this in a message on Saturday, April 11.

The embassy stated that the validity period of a B1/B2 visitor visa does not determine the length of stay. The common assumption that one can stay until the expiry date on the visa is incorrect.

The embassy made it clear that visa validity and stay permission are two different matters. To know how long a traveller has been permitted to stay, they must check the 'Admit Until Date' mentioned on their I-94 record. The immigration officer determines this date, which is recorded on the passport or in the digital record, at the time of entry.

Travellers can check their authorised stay period using the official US government website i94.cbp.dhs.gov.